Online
resources:
State of Idaho
City of Boise, Idaho
Net Detective
Healthy Child Care America
National Network for Child Care
National Associations for the Education of Young Children
National Child Care Information Center
Tribal Child Care Technical Assistance Center
QUILT- Quality in Linking Together -Early Education Partnerships
Childcare - curriculum, crafts and ideas
http://www.daycare.about.com Many links with business, curriculum, crafts
http://www.craftsforkids.about.com
Trash to Treasures; Special Days to Celebrate
http://www.ChildFun.com
Parenting:
http://www.parenttime.com
http://www.npin.org
http://www.cyfernet.mes.umn.edu
Professional:
http://www.nafcc.org National Association of Family Child Care
http://www.naeyc.org National Association for the Education of Young Children
http://www.onlinewbc.org Women's Business Center
http://www.iecenet.org Katherine Albertson Early Childhood Clearinghouse Information on training
resources, Scholarships and grants
http://www.redleafinstitute.org Great resource for business information
http://www.acei.org Association for Childhood Education International
Childcare Resources
- Child Care Aware (Parent Hotline for Quality Childcare) 1 (800) 424-2246
- Idaho Care Line (ICCP and Statewide Daycare Referrals Dial 211)
- Idaho Stars
Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
- Adult/Child Development Center 334-0900
- Child Protective Services (24-hour emergency) 334-0808 / 1 (800) 600-6474
- Family and Children's Services 334-6800
- Mental Health 334-0800 / 1 (800) 600-6474
- Self Reliance Program 334-6700
Idaho Childcare Licensing/Inspections
- Within Boise City Limits 384-3710
- State of Idaho 334-6854
Idaho Central District Health
- Anna Duarte, R.N. 327-8613
- Immunization Clinic, Central District Health 327-7450
- WIC (Women, Infants and Children - Nutritional Program) 327-7488 or 334-3355
Idaho Support and Training Resources for Childcare Providers
- Ada County Family Childcare Provider Network 323-2615
- Boise City Childcare Training Network 384-3705
- National Association of Family Child Care (NAFCC) 1 (515)282-8192
Web Site: www.nafcc.org - Idaho Early Childhood Education Network Web Site: www.iecenet.org
- List of training Opportunities, T.E.A.C.H. scholarships and available grants
- Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children (IAEYC) 345-1090
- BSU CDA Program 426-2210
- Rainy Day Resources (Substitute Childcare) 853-0984
Idaho Domestic Violence/Emergency Housing
- Community House 389-9840
- Hays House (Children 9 - 17) 336-1066 or 322-6686
- WCA Women and Children Crisis Center 343-7025
- National Hotline for Child Abuse 1 (800) 422-4453
Health and Nutrition
- Children's Special Health Program (serves children with chronic illness) 455-5380
- Expanded Food and Nutrition Program 376-1036
- Information for limited income families
- Health Wise 345-1212
- Medical Questions Answered 1 (800) 249-6028
- Idaho CareLine Services (Referral to health-related services) 1(800) 926-2588
- Idaho Infant and Toddler Program 334-4966
- Poison Control 1 (800) 632-8000
- St. Al's Ask-A-Nurse 378-3454
- Red Cross (CPR/First Aid Classes) 375-0386
Food Programs for Childcare Providers
- Child Care Connections 342-4453
- Under the Umbrella - USDA Food Program 322-4024
Hospitals
- St. Alphonsus 367-2121
- St. Lukes 381-2222
Parent Education
- Boise Schools Community Education 338-3525. Offers a variety of educational courses held in the evening and weekend hours
- Family Advocacy Program, Inc. Boise City 345-3344
- Monthly family recreation and parenting classes
- Parent Education Center (Boise Public Schools) 338-3429
- Parenting Connection 375-2408
- Redirecting Children's Behavior 345-9347
- St. Al's Parenting Education
- St. Luke's Birth and Parenting (New parent and CPR/First Aid Classes) 381-1200
- Parents As Teachers (P.A.T.) 342-4453
Children with Special Needs
- Access 345-1234
- Transportation for disabled of all ages. Inside Boise City limits, Must qualify. 24-hour notice recommended. Attention Deficit Disorder Advocacy 939-9386
- Support group meetings
- Autism Awareness 377-2987
- Autism, Idaho Association of 888-7534
- Blind and Visually Impaired, Idaho Commission for the 334-3220
- Blind, Resources for the 343-2382
- Boise School District - screening for children age 3 - 5 338-3456
- Community Partnerships 376-4999
- Developmental services for children with disabilities
- Council of Developmental Disabilities 334-2178
- Developmental Disabilities Program 334-0900
- Therapy for children ages 0 - 3; assessment & referral for children 4+
- Developmental Disabilities Council 334-2178
- Diamond Development Center 465-5114
- Program for developmentally delayed children. Summer program (June 1 - August 15) for ages 6 - 18; preschool for ages 3 - 5. Must have a medical card. Transportation included.
- Easter Seals Society 345-1591
- Epilepsy League of Idaho 344-4340
- Idaho Parents Unlimited, Inc. 342-5884 / 1 (888) 242-IPUL
- Special Olympics, Idaho (Year round training & competition)
- United Cerebral Palsy (Resource/Lending Library)
Children and Youth Clubs and Programs
- 4-H Program 377-2107
- Big Brothers/Big Sisters of SW Idaho 336-2552
- Boy Scouts of America 376-4411
- Boys and Girls Club of Ada County (ages 6 - 18) 321-9157
- Girl Scouts of the USA 377-2011
- Idaho Head Start - Ada County 345-1182
- Downtown Boise YMCA 344-5501
- West Boise YMCA 377-9622
- BSU Summer Sports Camps
- Football 385-1218
- Gymnastics 385-1657
- Boy's Gymnastics 385-1952
- Soccer 385-1003
Free or Inexpensive Activity & Field Trip Resources
- Arts for Kids (Free workshops each June) 336-4936
- Boise Art Museum 345-8330
- Berry Ranch 466-3860. Pick your own pumpkin, hay rides, straw maze, petting zoo
- Boise Parks & Recreation - Year round program (ICCP Registered) 384-4256
- Boise City Zoo 342-4796
- Botanical Gardens 343-8649
- Botany camp held during summer months
- Discovery Center of Idaho 343-9895
- Science related activities
- Eddies Bakery (call for reservations) 377-8100
- Fort Boise Community Center 384-4486
- Idaho Special Olympics 323-0482
- Libraries
- Ada Community Library (10664 W. Victory Rd.) 362-0181
- Boise Main Library (715 S. Capital Blvd.) 384-4200
- Towne Square Mall Library 375-5020
- Eagle Library 939-6814
- Regional Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped 334-2117
- Kuna 922-1002
- Meridian (1326 W. Cherry Lane) 888-4451
- Lucky Peak Nursery 343-1977 Guided tours and presentations; low-impact hiking trail,
Picnic area, kids get a free small tree seedling to take home. - Meridian Parks & Recreation 888-3579 Summer Program for ages 6 - 12
- MK Nature Center 334-2225 or 334-3700
- Old Historical Museum Site 368-6080
- Old Idaho Penitentiary, Transportation Museum, Geological & Mineral Museum (free). Entrance fee - call for group discounts. Watch for special Events and a $.25 day in June or July. It is free to walk the Grounds outside the Penitentiary walls, women's quarters, barn area.
- Public Parks - Call for the park nearest you
- Ada County 343-1328
- Boise City 384-4240
- Meridian Parks and Recreation 888-0696
- Eagle Island State Park 939-0696 West on State Street; North on Linder; cross river, You will see the sign on the right-hand side of the road. Sandy "beach" with shallow water for play; large, grassy Picnic area, covered picnic area, water slide. Great deal For $3.00 per vehicle.
- Lucky Peak State Park 336-0240
- Sandy Point 344-0240
- Discovery Park 336-9505
- Swiss Village Cheese 467-4424 Huge windows for viewing the making of cheese.Free cheese samples. They have an ice cream counter
- Treehouse Exotic Plants (Chinden Blvd.) 377-0181 Free - staff help the children gain an appreciation for growing things.
- World Center Birds of Prey 362-8687
Ten + one more fun ideas - all FREE!
- Feed the ducks at Ann Morrison Park
- Visit Kathryn Albertson Park - nature walk with ponds, great plants & waterfalls
- Visit a TV station. Channel 7 lets the kids visit at noon and watch the broadcast
- The city of Meridian hosts a scarecrow festival each fall. Scarecrows abound in the downtown area. Free history train tour of Meridian
- Visit the Memorial Rose Garden at Julia Davis Park - full bloom in June
- Ask your local police department to come to your child care facility and speak about safety. The kids get a kick out of the uniform and police car
- Visit your local fire station
- Arrange for a guided tour of a local pet store
- Go to the airport and watch the planes taxi and take off
- Call a local heavy equipment company in your area and arrange for a "tour" of the big tractors, bulldozers and track equipment. The boys will especially love this one.
- Visit a nursing home - play bingo, sing, play homemade musical instruments. Children and senior residents will benefit from this one.